Dredging apparatus.



PATENTED MAR. 27, 1906.

J. HAMILTON.

DREDGING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FBB.6,1905.

3 SHEETSSHBET l.

No. 816,161. PATENTED' MAR. 27, 1906. J. HAMILTON.

DRBDGING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 0, 11 0s.

3 smmwsnnm No. 816,161.- PATENTED MAR. 2'7, 1906. J. HAMILTON.

DREDGING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED PEB.6.1905.

3 SHEBTS-SHEET .3.

Unitarian STATES @FHQE- DREDGdNG APPARATUS.

{specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 27, 1906.

Application tiled February 6, 1905. Serial No. 244,351.

To (1'77 Ill/ 107M (It mm! concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES HAMILTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, Brooklyn borough, in the count of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dredging Apparatus, which improvements are fully set forth in the following. specification.

This invention relates to improvements in constructions of that class employed for ex cavating purposes, chiefly along the bottoms of rivers and other bodies of water, and commonly known as dredging apparatus.

The objects of this invention are to provide a dredging a paratus which shall embody certain novel features of construction whereby, rimarily, the apparatus is rendered particu arly well adapted for dredging or excavating so-called hard bo toms, and, secondarily, the main operating parts are under certain conditions interlocked and stayed, and hence brought well under the control of the operator, which shall be simple and com paratively inexpensive in construction. durable, efficient, and reliable in practical service, convenient in its application to practical purposes, and which shall possess certain well-defined advantages over prior analogous constructions.

The invention consists in the novel disposition and relative arrangement of the various cooperating parts thereof whereby the at taimne-nt of the foregoing objects is rendered practicable, in certain combinations and in certain details of construction, all of which will be more specifically hereinafter referred to, and set forth in the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views.

in said drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a dredging apparatus embodying my said improvements, t e same being shown as mounted on a scow afloat in a body of water and the returned position of the spud being shown in full lines, while the interlocked or vertical position thereof is indicated inv dotted lines. 2 is a plan view of the entire construction shown in Fig. 1. 'Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view showing the free end of the boom, the spud in its interlocked position with respect thereto, and certain adjacent cooperating parts. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail side elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 3 Fig. 5 is an enlarged dctaii side elevation showing more clearly the preferred means employed for securing a locking effect between the boom and the spud when the latter occupies its vertical position. Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, showing slightlymodifirai details of the construction. Fig. 7 is a detail sectional View of the boom-staying traveler and cooperating parts which I make use of.

In dredging mparatus having a boom and a spud shiftable to and fro therealong it is desirable that the spud when shifted to its 0perative or vertical position be temporarily interlocked with said boom, since thereby, the boom being duly stayed against an upward tilting movement, the double-aeting scoops forming the bucket are held more effectively to their work, and this is particularly essential where the strata to be excavated constitute what is commonly known as a hard bottom. Again, where a rock ing action exists between the spud and the bucket-frame availed of it is further desirable that the joint permitting this rocking action be rendered rigid for a prescribed period during the operation of the apparatus, any tendency on the part of the bucket to cent, and which would detract from its efficiency in service, being thereby obviated. Still further, it is desirable that flexible means be provided whereby a positive control of the operative parts in all their various relative ad justmcnts is assured. I attain the foregoing ends and each of them by the mechanisms, parts, and combinations which will now be specifically described.

Having reference to the accompanying drawings, 2 denotes the deck of a scow or other appropriate vessel, from which rises a standard 2 of any approved construction.

2 denotes the laterally-swinging boom projecting at an upward inclination from the deck 2 and having its axis of movement at the enlarged stud or pivot 3, as in common practice.

3 is the spud, supported primarily by and slidable bodily to and fro along the boom 2 and also capable of undergoing a combined end wise and swinging movement, its axis of swinging movement being varied acccording to the degree of the endwise movement thereof. In this connection the boom 2 is here shown as being provided with a central vertical longitudinal slot forming opposing side members 3 f", betweenwhich operates the 'ios Lil

and the slide i, the latter preferably in slots a, formed, respectively, in d" members 3 3. Specifically, the this of a pin serving to connect end pltfi'fifi i, said pin passing; through a lon' gitudinal it 4 formed n the spud 3, and the lattenacconlingly operating thereon. It will he uiidcrstoml that a duplicate of the slot 4, which latter clearly shown in Fig. l, as being, formed in the side IHU'IRlJGI 3', is also formed in. the side member 3", and, further, that :1 duplicate of the end piece l, also clearly sh i wn in l? 1, is arranged to operate in the slot Wllllfll corresponds to 4, formed in the side inemher denot able drum mounted at or adjacent to the ZLXJH oi n'ioveinent of thehoom 13, operable in opnosite directions by power taken iron: any a i' iropriate source and controlled by a l'rictirindiralie or other snitahle means, all as in common practice.

.5- denotes a llexihlc connection,practically endless, the same encircling number of times the drawn and in such. a manner that when either of the runs thereof is wound onto said drum the other run thereof is delivered therefrom, and in this instance the upper run of said flexible connection leads l'rorn to and along the underside of the drum 0 idler or sheave 5 and from 'tl'ience to and in connection with the slide 4. Then it leads from the latter to and around the idler or sheave 5 at the free end oi the boom 2, where it merges into the lower run of said connection, and the latter leadsi'roin the idler or sheave last referred to to and along the 11pper side of the idler or sheave 6, arranged to operate in a hanger c, depending from the boom 2, from thence dowi'iwardly and partially around the idler or sheave (5", carried by the boom-starving trz'ivelcr 6, and from thence to and ior a coiling relation with respect-lo the din: 5. ilcnce itwill he seen t. ll il drum he rotat d in the direction to tion 5' onto said drum slide 4 will he moved forward];- ale ,5 or in the directii'iti of the tree end ol' the boom 2, and it this operation of drum 5 he duly rontinucd, the lmcket-conli'olli'ng renn n! ion 7 being duly and sinniltneconsl :.\O(l away, spud 53 will he hrou; "l t to iis wri icril posit ion, as indicated hydottcd lines in his. 1, while it the drum 5 be duly operated in ll'l' reverse direction-that is, in a (i to wind the upper run of ilexihlc connez-tion 5i llltliiulr Hlli'lt 43, connection 7 law in;; duly ltililil in, will he returned alone the boom 32 as to the position indicated in full t .ion may be here llllltll'lliftr'l) caller: am l'wxi that when the slide 4 is at the its Havel outwardly along or in the ,r Hr r' n li il i it: we mm o tinoooni .4 ,(LllU rconhnglv hrongg ht, as {or to its vertical position,

elaii upon power being duly applied to the drum 5 in a manner to hold the lower run or" the connection 5 taut or under marked tension boom 2 is effectually stayed and held against any upward tilting lllGlfifilllP/nl', there-oi as at its free end, and this desirable ell'ect, through the medium of the traveler 6, may be corninued at the will of the operator and irrespective of the positions which may he assumed by said hooni throughout its plane oi swinging action, the traveler alorenmneiil being movable along the deck 12 beneath the boom 2 and along a course concentric to the axis of movement of the latter, as will he more particularly herei halter explained.

In the rear of the pivot oi the boom is nn'iunled a pair of hoistingwlrunis 7 and 7 said drums heing located side by side and operated and controlled as specified in connection with drum 5. The hiiclcet-conlrolling ropes or connections 7 and 7" are wound at their rear ends on the drums 7 and 7". These drums are adapted to he indepemlently operated as is usual in the ordinary practice. The closingand hoisting connection 7 runs from. the drum 7 over the sheave 7 near the free end and at one side of the boom 2, thencedownward to and connecting with the sheave 7', which is fast on the bucket-actuating shzlit The other connection 7 is woin'id at its rear end on the drum 7 and leads from said drum to and over on idler or sheave 2%, arranged in opposition to the sheave 7 at the opposite end of the hooin 2 and then from sheave 8 down 'ardlv, tenninatingr in branches which respectivelv lead to and in connection with the small shi-avestl 8, said sheaves heing last, respectively, on theshal't 8, one on each side of the sheave 7'. This connection serves as the opening and lovv'tlll'ig rope. The connections 7 and 7" are so relativi 'arrnngg eil withresncc-t to the several shea ics on shaft h that scoops 9 fl, forming the usual so-called clam-shell bucket, and which respectively have a swing ing opening and closing nngvcinent, one with. and the other on the shaft 8, as in common practice, are opened and closed upon said connection-runs being alternately tightened and relaxed, and which, as will be readily understood, may he accon'iplished hy accordingly alternating the direction oi" rotation of the drum 7 and 7"- in action.

ll denotes an. adjustable shaft linked to the respective scoops 5) 9" and having a vertical sliding relation with respect to the l 1icl et-lruine #4, as by working in slots 9, formed in the side members of said frame The run of the connection 7*, which under tension opens the scoops 9 9", is preferably tershaft Hence id connection 7 opens the scoops by lifting shaft 9", and this operation results throughthe medium of the branches.

aforenamed in shaft 8 being rotated so as to wind the connection .7 somewhat on the sheave 7, all as in common practice.

The bucketdramc S is pivotally connected to the lower end of spud 3, and hence said frame isliable to cant in practical service, and thereby interfere with the proper operation of the bucket-scoops. 'lo obviate this defeet, I provide means whereby the joint between said bucket-frame and the spud is rendered practically rigid during the closing action of said bucket-scoops, said means consisting, in this instance, of an eye 9, pro jccting laterally from the spud 3 somewhat above its point of connection with the bucketframe 8 and a pin 10, secured to shaft 9, projecting upwardly therefrom through the top piece of franie 8 and registering with the eye 9 when the spud 3 occupies its vertical position. Therefore upon shaft 9 being elevated, as from its position indicated in full lines in Fig 4 to its position indicated in dotted lines in the same view, pin 10 engages and passes through the eve 9, and accordingly serves to give rigidity to the joint aforenamed.

The construction last referred to constitutcs an important feature of my present invention.

For enhancing the interlocked relation of the spud 3 and boom 2 at the free end of the latte and when said spud occupies its vertical position i provide a keeper, l0, preferably movable as on a pivot or shaft 10, disposed at the free end of the boom 2, and,

further, by preference, having a frictional face whereby may be had an extensive frictional grasp on the spud 3 when adjusted as last stated. it is obvious, however, as indicated in Fig 6, that the spud may be provided with a rack to be engaged by a keeper 10", fixed at the free end of the boom 2, as by mcansof bolts lt lb"" l preferghowever. as stated, the construction shown in Fig, 5, since this more readily permits a degree of rocking action on the part of the spud 25', as on the slide st, and this even n hen the spud is held lirmh in engagement with the frictional keeper ll) The construct ion whereby the spud 3 may be intorlrwkcd with the boom 2 constitutes also an important feature of my present invention. 1

I prefer that the connection 5 comprise a single strand forcoopcratingwith the sheaves 5 6 and drum 5. and opposite branches, one for cooperating with the sheaves 5 6, as herein explained, and the other for cooperating with like sheaves arranged at the opposite side of the boom 2, and it will be understood that the various flexible connections herein referred to may each consist of a suitable length or lengths of chain, cable, rope, 01"

the like and that suitable guys, as 1] 11, may be availed of for staying the free end of the boom 2 against a downward tilting movement and holding the upper end of the standard 2 against a forward tilting n1ov ment, respectively, as indicated in the drawings and as is customaryin this class of apparatus. shown, Fig 7, as being mounted. on or between track-wheels ll 11', which engage underneath and roll along the opposing Z- rails 12 12, secured to the deck 2 at the for-- ward end thereof and forming a trackway which conforms to an arc of a circle whose center is the axis of movement of the boom 2". It will be understood, however, that these details may be materially varied with out evasion of my invention, since an important feature of my present invention is the providing of means whereby a staying effect is bad on the boom 2 against an upward tiling movement thereof during the closing action of the bucket-scoops in service and universally throughout the plane of swinging movement of said boom, as onits axis of movement 3. When brought to the position indicated in full lines in 1, the rear end por tion ofthe spud 3, particularly when duly wei hted, serves to counterbalance the budlict-frame 8 and. parts conjoined therewith, thereby relieving the connection '7 from needless strain.

The operation of my improved dredging apparatus will be clearly apparent from the foregoing description thereof, and it will be seen that the same may be modified to a considcrable extent, particularly regards the form of the keeper availed of in the operation of interlocking the spud and the boom, the means employed for staying the boom against an upward tilting movement, and the means employed for giving rigidity to the joint between said spud and the bucket-frame with' out departing from the spirit and principle of my invention.

,llaving thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patcut, is

1. A dredging a maratus comprising a base or vessel-deck; a boom mounted thereon for a lateral swinging movement; and means accompanying, and whereby said boom is stayed, at all positions assumed thereby in its swinging movements, against an upward tilting movement at its free end, substantially as hereins eciiied.

2. A r redging apparatus comprising a base or vessel-deck; a boom mounted thereonfor a lateral swinging movement; and a flexible connection, said connection accompanying said boom in its swinging movements, extending therefrom and shil ably engaging said base or vessel-deck, and ht cordingly connecting said base or vessel-deck and said boom, and whereby the latter is stayed, at

in this connection the traveler 6 is all positions assumed therebyin its swinging movements, against an upward tilting move ment at its free end, substentielly as herein specified.

3. A dredging apparatus com risingia, base or vessel-(hick n boom mountec therepnnnd hiiving 1m uxis of lateral movement; etreek wiry on sold base or vessehdeck and errsnged concentric to the axis of movement of said boom; :1 traveler movable to andfro along said trarlnvsy; end a connection between said traveler and said boom, whereby the hitter is stayed g e hll points or positions assumed thereby in its movements with re spect to its axis of movement, against an up ward idling movement at its free end, substantially as herein specified.

4'. lb. dredging apparatus comprising a base or vessel-deck ii boom mounted thereon and having on of lateral movement; a tree/lo Way on said. base or vessehdeck and consisting of opposing rails arranged concentric to the axis of movement of said boom; u traveler, mounted on truck-wheels which engage and roll to and l'ro along said mils; and u connection between said triivclernnd suid boom, whereby the latter is stayed, at all positions assumed thereby in its IIIOVUIUCHLS with respect to its exis of movement, against an upwui'd tilting movement at its free end, sub stuntiully us herein spcrilicd.

A dr dg'ing apparatus comprisii'ig a base or vessel-deck; n. boom mounted thereon and having no axis ol' lull-rel iiiovcn'icnt 21- tracknn-iy on said busc or vcsschdcck and consisting ol' op 'icsing Z-rnils arranged com-entric clcr, provided with :i sheave and mounted on tru k-wheels which engage underneath and roll to mid l'ro along suid rails; ends ilcxible connection between the sheave carl'icd by said traveler and said boom, whereby the latter is stiiycd, at all positions essumed thereby in its movements with respect to its axis of movement, against an upward tilting movement at'its free end, sulistsnticlly as herein specified.

o. A dred ing apparatus comprising :1 boom; :1. spun shifteble along said boom to and from its free end; and means for interlocking sold boom and spud, when the hitter shall have been shifted tothe free end of said boom, sijibstnntially as herein specified.

7, A dredging apparatus comprising a boom; {L spud shit'tnhlc along said boom to end from its free end means for holding said spud interlocked with suid boom when thus shifted; and n l-zeepor l'or cnguging'suid spud while being held interlocked with said boom, and whereby the intcrhiclting cll'crt between said boom and Sttitl spud is enhanced, sub stuntiully as herein specified.

' 8. A dredging apparatus coinprlsing u s s-lei s Jud interlocked,Withseid boom when time snittsd; and e rocking keeper for engaging said spud wnile being held interlocked with "said boom, and whereby the interloc'lringef- :tect between said 00m and said spud is enhenced, end the spud is permitted, itthe some time, to undergo a rocking moveii'nent, substantially as herein specified.

9. A dred ing appointee comprising a boom; a spud shifteble elong said boom to and from its free end flexible means for holding said spud interlocked with said boom when thus shifted; and e rocking keeper hav ing a frictional face for en aging said spud while being held interlcekec With said boom, and Where by the interlockingeijlect between said boom and said spudis enlisnee'd,,end the spud is permitted, at the some time, to

nnder 'o a rockin movement subst'entiell as herein specified.

10. A dredging e peretus comprising a boom; a slide carried .y, and shiftebie to end froln the free end of, said boo1n; s spudengaging said slide and movable en'dwise' independently thereof; and flexible moons for urging the slide, and accordingly the spud engaging the some, to the free endof said boom and holding it there, Wherebyseid spud and boom are interlocked, substantially as herein specified.

11. A dredging apparatus comprising a boom; a slide carried by, i ndshiltable to and from the free end of, suid'boonnn spudengaging said slide, and having a. roclring movement thereon'and on endwise movement independently thereof; nndjlexible means for urging the slide, endeccordingly the spud ongagingthe same, to the free end of said boom and holding it there, whereby said spud and boom. are interlocked, substantially as herein specified.

12. A dredging opparetus comprising a boom; suiteblydistributed sheaves carried by said boom; a flexible connection operating on said sheaves; a slide secured to said connection, carried by seid boon'i, and niov able to and from the free end thereof; zi spud engaging said slide, and having er o'cking movement thereon and an endwise 7 movement independently thereofl end -moons for operating said flexible connection, whereby the slide, and accordingly, the spud engsgin the some, is urged to the fre e end of seic boom and held there, forinterloclt ino said spud with said boom, substantially as ierein specified. I

13. A dredging apparatus comprising a base or vess'chdcck; a boom mounted thereon; u. plurulityot sheaves carried by, and suitably distributed along, suid boom; a flexible connection operating on sold sheaves and on guging said baseor vessel-deck beneath smd boom, and whereby the letter is stayed boom; :1. spud shiltnblc along said boom to iiguinst no upward tilting nnivenientnt its 5 ltlltl l'roui its free. end; menus l'or hold ng said irco t'lltl, upon said flexible connect-ion being tion opera-tin duly actuated ortensioned; and means for thus netusting or tensioning said flexible connection, substantially-es herein specified.

14:. A dredging apparatus comprising at hsse or vessel-deck; a boom mounted thereon for s lateral swinging movement; a plu rolity of sheaves carried by, and suitably distributed alone, said boom; a flexible connecon said sheaves and shi'itsbly engaging said base or vesseldesk beneath said boom, and whereby the letter is stayed,- t all positions assumed thereby in its swinging movements, against an upward tilting moyemen t at its free end, upon flexible eonnection being duly eotunted or tensioned; and means for thus actuating or tensioning said flexible connection, substantially as herein specified.

15. A dredging apparatus comprising a boom slotted longitudin lly to form opposing side members; it longitud,iinillyslotte l spud disposed to operate between said side members; s pin-like slide extending through the slot with which said spud is provided, and siidsbly'en eging the respective side mem bers nforensmed, said spud, accordingly, beingmovable endwise independently of said slide and being, at the same time adapted to rock thereon; and flexible connections for actual-ting and controlling said slide and said spud, respectively, substantially as herein specified. i

16. A dredging apparatus boom e spud cooperating comprising etherewith;

bucket e frame loosely to said spud; and means for giving rigidity, temporarily, to the joint between spud end said bucket-heme, substantially as herein specified.

17. A dredging s nsrstus comprising a boom; o spud cooperating therewith, shiftable into and out of e vertical position, and hnvin on eye projecting laterally therefrom; a bucket-ironic loosely iointed to said spud, said bucket-heme esrrying spin, movable vertically endwise and. s flexible connection whereby, when said spud shall. have been shifted into its vertical position, ssid pin may be duly moved and c l to engage and pass thio ugh the eye iiiorensmed, end there by ton'ipornrily give rigidity to the joint between said spud and said 1 ticket-frame, ssid pin registering with said eve, when the spud specified occupies its yer 1 position, substantially as herein specified.

18. A. dredging "PDfiTQ-tUS comprising :1 boom; it spud cooperating with said boom end l "P'bl r o mi l .x', v i AV- sjllrbil L b0 and it u iioni inc free Gilt ti no oi; means for interlocking snid boo A e id ivaro tilting movement st its stantielly as herein specified.

54 W38 HAiviliLT Witnesses seid spud when the letter shall have been 

